The Milwaukee Brewers secured the National League Central division title with a dominant performance all season long.
That impressive showing includes a 95-63 record, and they will be very, very close to getting to 100 victories.
It has been a season to remember for the Brew Crew, and the best is about to begin as they embark on what is shaping up to be a tough postseason.
Part of their success can be attributed to their excellent pitching.
Names like Brent Suter, Brad Boxberger, Aaron Ashby, Josh Hader, and others have been performing admirably all year long from the bullpen.
Additionally, since the playoffs usually involve four-man rotations, pitchers such as Brett Anderson and Adrian Houser could find themselves in the bullpen, too.
The unit is eighth in the major leagues in ERA, with 3.84, and fifth in the NL.
A Truly Unbeliveable Injury
One consistent contributor will be noticeably absent from the postseason roster.
Devin Williams, the owner of the “airbender”, a changeup that ranks among the best pitches in MLB, was placed on the 10-day IL with a fractured right hand.
Devin Williams is being placed on the 10-day IL with a fractured right hand. He told us he had too much to drink after Sunday’s celebration, got upset about something and punched a wall with his pitching hand. He will need surgery.
“If I could take it back, I would.”
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) September 29, 2021
It’s baffling that this happened in the middle of a celebration: getting upset, punching a wall, and everything that followed: the pain, diagnosis, and the fact that now Milwaukee will need to find solutions in their bullpen.
Twitter is full of replies commenting on the bizarre situation that will cost the Brewers one of its best relievers when it matters most.
The player has, at least, owned up to his mistake and has apologized to the Brewers’ fan base for missing the playoffs over a second of irresponsibility and bad judgment.
Devin Williams: “I’m pretty upset with myself. There’s no one to blame but me. I feel like I’ve let my team down, our coaching staff, our fans, everyone. I know how important of a role I play on this team and a lot of people count on me.” pic.twitter.com/kOjzJvEUhh
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) September 29, 2021
However, this could cost Milwaukee.
Video-Game Numbers
Williams, in case you don’t remember, broke onto the scene in 2020 with video-game numbers: he struck out 53 hitters in just 27 innings, compiling a minuscule 0.33 ERA.
He started the 2021 season with a few hiccups, but quickly recovered and blossomed into one of the very best relievers in baseball.
This year, he has pitched 54 innings, allowing only 36 hits and striking out 87 rivals.
His ERA is a very good 2.50.
Williams was the go-to arm whenever Brewers manager Craig Counsell needed to retire the toughest part of the opposing team’s lineup.
Hader is the best and most consistent reliever in this bullpen, but Williams is closer to him than people think.
Losing him is a huge blow for the Brewers, one they hope won’t cost them a win or two down the road.
In the playoffs, one win or two are the difference between elimination and advancing to the next round.
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